A Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA) all-candidates meeting drifted away from talk of trails and bike lanes to the rough terrain of Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) and the vacant District of Squamish environmental co-ordinator position on Monday (Oct. 27).A Black Tusk Snowmobile Club member received loud applause from the approximately 60 people gathered after pressing candidates for their opinions on the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) four season resort proposed for Brohm Ridge. Specifically, he asked how the candidates would deal with the area's water supply. Coun. Mike Jenson said that while he supports the idea of GAS, he has concerns over the environmental impacts and "land grabs" around Brohm and Cat lakes. Mayoral candidate Coun. Greg Gardner followed by pointing out that there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the development, including whether the economic impact justifies that kind of sprawl. With the current information, he said, he cannot support the GAS proposal."The reality is we should keep our minds open about it [] but if you wanted to push me for a hard answer, it would be no, I could not support Garibaldi at Squamish at this time based on what I know." Candidates Bryan Raiser and Donna Billy said they were adamantly opposed to the idea, but candidate Paul Lalli expressed interest."Squamish is slowly becoming a bedroom community [] so we have to keep our minds open to new economic developments that come to our community because not only does that expand our tax base but it creates employment and stops people from commuting to Whistler and Vancouver," he said.Discussions became even more heated with the introduction of the recently reported deferment of filling the vacant environmental co-ordinator position. The audience was spurred on after Squamish Environmental Conservation Society president and candidate Catherine Jackson criticized council's recent decision to "axe" the environmental lead position."I think that's not a good idea right now because of the rate of growth we're going through right now and it seems to me it's an essential role," she said.During question period, audience members continued to press candidates' views on the subject, which eventually forced Gardner to step up to the microphone to clarify that former environmental co-ordinator Peter Woods resigned and the position may yet be filled at some point, adding that he believes the position is "essential." Councillors agreed to defer replacing Woods until budget discussions are underway, he said.Representatives from SORCA, Squamish Trails Society, Squamish Titans Multisport Club, Squamish Access Society and the Squamish Dirt Bike Association went on to put forth one question each. All tried to flush out how the candidates prioritize accessibility issues and trail maintenance.Test of Metal Inc. president Cliff Miller pointed out that, according to a 2006 Southwestern British Columbia Mountain Bike Tourism Association study, mountain biking contributes about $9 million annually to the local economy. He wanted to know whether the candidates thought it was fair that the local mountain bike community invested $24,500 on trail maintenance while the district put up half that amount.Candidates agreed the district should invest in Squamish's outdoor amenities like trails, bike lanes and rock climbing areas. Candidate Jorli Ricker made it clear that sharing the wealth is critical. "Recreational is a way of life here and it's something that should be promoted. I want to see the District of Squamish do more to try to help all recreation not just certain facets of it." Mayoral candidates John Erickson and Terrill Patterson were not in attendance.
